Olaf

Bieber. Oh dear. The 80's wasn't perfect, try 'Bang your head' by Quiet Riot and you'll see what I mean. Still, I can spout 80's music all day long. Here's a good 'un... Why not a new rad and full cooIing system re-do right now? It's an excellent idea. I've purchased a large quantity of parts that has quickly added up to more than I paid for the car; needed to economise on the rad for the moment. I'll revisit next year after it's had some more fettling. Am currently working on the logistics around the how to get it all sorted so I can make it to e30 megameet (cambelt, clutch, cooling, fit rear ARB, wheel bearing, and some ever-so-slightly better rubber than what's on it now). ?

this arrived in the mail today...so I'll be fitting it this weekend. Not black chrome sadly, but hey, I'm happy.

I picked up an old truck tyre tube from a tyre shop in town. I have a cunning plan to use rubber and hose clamps on the rad to fill it with water this weekend after a (clean water, no chemicals) flush, see it's water-tight as hoped. I have a new cap. Jon has suggested some hot water sitting in it to help the old o-rings in their old-ish age, a brilliant idea. I guess I could put the valve on it and give it a gentle 10-15psi (from my bicycle tyre pump with gauge) by way of a (low) pressure test? Speaking of no chemicals, here's a little Thomas Dolby, featuring Magnus Pike... I'd better dig out some of my authentic 80's cassettes given I'm going e30 retro 80's eh?

tow-hooks as a requirement for WoF? not as far as I know.

lock barrel repair kit ordered...

17 Oct 2018. 258,153kms (yestrday I collected used M40 rad from Jon at Auto38). Ordered top hose. Collected the new genuine BMW key and code that I'd ordered. Turns out I'd misunderstood; for the (not insignificant) price, I still needed to find a locksmith to cut the key. I was fortunate that Beveredge Locksmiths were still open (new location on Cambridge Tce. Yes, they could cut it (trap for new players: leading zero placeholders on BM computer screenshot confused key cutting system. I also got a spare (Silca, ugly, functional). Beveredges were really excellent. Now I'm ordering the lock barrell repair kit. Antenna: spent time with a scotchbrite, WD40, rags, trying to get the electric antenna working. I made a small difference. EDIT: Note to self. Purchased 3 very pricey keys from Winger, still no Winger BMW keyring. Odd.

AWESOME! Look forward to seeing you at some events soon.

great score, Aaron! ?

13 Oct 2018. 258,101kms It's been to visit Jon Mechaniker at Auto38 in Newtown, for some further diagnosis. Jon gave it a thorough going-over, stethescope and all. If you're in Wellington, bring this man your business! I enjoyed the pickup, had a nice talk to a local gent with a e61 550i; we shared notes on the lovely V8. Back to Grey Thunder. The good: the engine's a 'keeper'. Shiny cam, good oiling [edit: with good compressions]. The not so good: It needs a rad, there were more smallish things it needs, and it needs a wheel bearing, and some other bigger stuff. I already have the clutch kit and some of the cooling stuff, and the stuff for the rear bar, but still need a top hose and a radiator, as well as a bunch of small items. And the cambelt kit. And a wheel bearing x2 (I guess best replaced in pairs?). Today, I: Changed the spark plugs. I already had these, so not your secret sauce recommendation sorry Jon! Bosch FGR7DQP+. Now it idles when cold! And pulls well. And runs far more smoothly at motorway speeds. Happy days! ? Checked the air filter, and found it's close to brand-new. A Hengst E41L. Adjusted the throttle cable. Measured my new rear ARB - it's a 13.5mm, so need to get bushes for it (I bought 12mm Gen BMW) Measured my front ARB: it's 19mm. I'm looking for a 20mm, so if someone has one in good nick please let me know. And if anyone has a Hirschmann power antenna for e30, let me know.

It's not *full* poverty spec; it's auto and has a rev counter, and sunroof! Nice, tidy e30. If you particularly wanted a PFL 318i, it's probably cheaper than fully restoring one. Shame the service history has been separated from the car.

Today this arrived. Like meeting an old friend. I last bought one of these in 2001, it was softcover then. I kept it many years after I sold my e30 Touring. so, reunited?

I had an interesting experience some ten years ago. Bought inexpensive gas springs for my volvo tailgate from FCP. They’re under extreme pressure in that design. 1 year later they sh#t the bed, foul smelling hydraulic oil yecchh. Fortunately I had not tossed the originals. Found the service agents, yes he could rebuild the Stabilus units. He did so in the back of his van, and here we are more than ten years later and they’re still working, and it cost little more than the cheapies. so my recommendation? Buy OEM, or talk to Gas Strut Services Ltd. Dunno if they’re still around in the Wellington region...

30 Sept 2018. 258,046kms ... and today I got stuck into the boot, revealed the no-name electric antenna that needs a replacement mast, tidied up the jack and wheel brace, and also deep polished the windscreen and Rain-X'd it. Little jobs. Now, where to get a proper leccy antenna? Or figure out the generic mast for mine (ALPHA 21-EXD)? Put that one on the back burner, get the mechanicals sorted... it's off for a little more diagnosis this week with Jon Mechaniker.

John, I think to be fair he's seeking a refund on the basis that his consumer rights have not been met, and this is an opportunity to sever that relationship and get his money back. He's lost confidence in that particular vehicle, and has no confidence in the dealer providing remedy to the issues to his satisfaction. I think in those circumstances one would feel galled every time one made a payment, saw a CEL code, or even drove said vehicle. Getting a full refund under the law is the path less travelled, but is ultimately the best. One might then go shopping for a good, trustworthy, reliable vendor, and then find a similar vehicle through their trusted supplier; also the path less travelled! ?

I dunno. I installed the ceramic pads and new (slotted) rotors together back in Sept 2013, done ~75,000km & 5 years on them and the rotors look great.

29 Sept 2018. 258,046kms I've been reading/researching, driving it a little. Accumulating parts. Today: replaced hood (bonnet) gas spring (OEM Febi Stabilus) replaced hood (bonnet) badge and grommets (genuine BMW) Easy, straightforward jobs for the afternoon.

Oh, and impressions of the Hawk Performance HPS, now I've done a few kms (1,038), and some touring.... @GorGasm you were asking previously. I'm happy with them. I think the car stops shorter (when I need to), has more modulation, doesn't take much heat to get working. Not the initial HARD BITE of OEM BMW pads. Much lower dusting, which is a bonus. But if you're needing serious retardation and are late braking before a bend, these are good in my estimation. So, in balance, I like them and am happy with them. They have much better feel than Akebono Euros on my e46; the Akebonos on my e46 take a lot longer to stop when they're cold, lack bite, have plenty of modulation, though don't shorten stopping distance. I'd probably put HPS on my e46 if the Akebonos ever wear out! UPDATE: Jan 2024 I did put Hawk HPS on the e46 in Jan 2023. I'm really impressed with HPS on both cars, when stopping's the requirement they pull you up short. Low dust - less than half that of OE. HPS also on my e30. I'm sold.

29 September 2018. 171204kms WoF. Passed with flying colours. Kurt at VTNZ Adelaide Road is a Bimmer-head as well, we talked about his e39 540i ///M. Next stop: new MBI, as the current one expires on Monday. That'll be my BMW Car Club NZ annual membership paying for itself ?

I’ve been using FCP Euro for 11-12 years for the bulk of my parts, with some from the local dealer, and sometimes Schmiedmann. I’ve tried Pelican and found the scant savings (on some items), not worth the hassle compared the FCP’s better service. YMMV. FCP have recently re-signed with FedEx which makes things great for us down here in the shaky isles. HTH PS: Mick’s Garage can also be attractive for selected parts. Brands clearly identified so you know what you’re buying, pricing in NZD, and 5 day DHL from Ireland.

... and that of other road users or pedestrians...

21 September 2018. 170807kms fewer kms over the last month. I've driven the e30 a few times instead. I got the Dynamic Drive system reset/recalibrated. Steering feels better. Sadly no new alignment until next saturday, Kelvin's fully booked this Saturday. I'll sort out a vidjo of it - makes cool noises as it dances like Thom Yorke. Anyway, here's Thom dancing, while ya'll wait for me to edit a video... https://youtu.be/DpVfF4U75B8

guys, look up the vin. it's not povo spec, it has aircon, Msports suspension, sunroof, and even passenger airbag! It's not like they made money on it, I think this would have been around $55-60k australian back then. This example is certainly nowhere near as nice as the near-new iS I drove about 1600kms in in Dec/Jan 1993.

Sure is. To channel Robocop: “I’d buy that for a dollar!” Sharp looking ‘02.

I'd be talking with Jon at Auto38 in the first instance.

M43 with blown HG. Bummer. Certainly cheap!